Last checked at 14 Mar 2024 07:00
14 March 2024
ATOME PLC
("ATOME", "the Company", or "the Group")
Enterprise Investment Scheme ("EIS") investment status granted by HMRC
ATOME (AIM: ATOM), the only international green fertiliser project development company on the London Stock Exchange, is pleased to announce that His Majesty's Revenue and Customs ("HMRC") has granted EIS status for the investment made by certain qualifying individuals in respect of the equity fundraise which was announced on the 19 February 2024.
The EIS is a UK government initiative which encourages investment in qualifying companies by offering tax benefits for qualifying investors who subscribe for new shares. For the avoidance of doubt, EIS income tax relief is not available for directors or employees of ATOME.
Subject to certain conditions being met by the company and the investors, EIS enables a qualifying investor with a UK tax liability to claim tax relief in the UK of up to 30% of their investment, subject to a maximum investment of £1 million per tax year. In addition, when investors sell EIS shares, any growth in value from an investment is potentially free from UK capital gains tax (to qualify for this relief, income tax relief must have already been claimed and not withdrawn by HMRC. Investors also have to hold the shares for at least three years and the company and its group must remain EIS qualifying for at least three years). Further details about EIS can be found here. Prospective EIS investors should seek their own tax and financial advice.
The directors of ATOME also believe that an investment in the Company would potentially constitute a 'qualifying holding' for a Venture Capital Trust ("VCT") subject to certain conditions being met. A company can receive a maximum of £5 million from EIS and VCT investors on a 12-month rolling basis. The grant of EIS status broadens the Company's potential investor base as it continues to develop and grow. However, the Company reiterates that it intends to finance its first 145MW project in Paraguay at the asset level through its subsidiary, ATOME Paraguay.
The 100% green fertiliser that is targeted to be produced by ATOME from 2026 has a worldwide market, none more so than in the UK and Ireland where decarbonisation of the entire agricultural supply chain from supermarkets down to the farm is gaining increasing traction, importance and support. ATOME looks forward to delivering further positive news in the next months as it moves towards Final Investment Decision and asset level-funding for ATOME's world-scale 145MW green fertiliser facility in Paraguay. For completeness, ATOME has an exciting 100MW project in Costa Rica as well as the Phase 2 300MW project in Paraguay.
Philip Hare & Associates acted for the Company in the successful grant of EIS status and continues to do so.
For more information, please visit https://www.atomeplc.com or contact:
ATOME PLC Nikita Levine, Investor Relations | +44 (0) 113 337 2210info@atomeplc.com |
Beaumont Cornish (Nominated Adviser) Roland Cornish, Michael Cornish | +44 (0) 20 7628 3396 |
SP Angel (Joint Broker) Richard Hail, Caroline Rowe, Harry Davies-Ball | +44 (0) 20 3490 0470 |
Cavendish Capital Markets Limited (Broker) Simon Hicks, George Dollemore | +44 (0) 20 7220 0500 |
Tavistock (Financial PR and IR) Simon Hudson, Rebecca Hislaire, Saskia Sizen | +44 (0) 20 7920 3150 atome@tavistock.co.uk |
About ATOME
ATOME PLC is an AIM listed company targeting green fertiliser production with 445-megawatt of projects in Paraguay and a further pipeline of potential projects in Central America.
Since its admission to AIM in December 2021 ATOME signed a 145MW power purchase agreement with ANDE, the state energy company in Paraguay for acquired 30 hectares of land in Villeta, Paraguay for that facility, mandated Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking and the multilateral IDB Invest to lead the project funding and with Front End Engineering and Design studies currently underway with the international companies Urbas and Casale. ANDE has also allocated a further 300MW for ATOME's second project subject to studies.
In Costa Rica, The National Ammonia Corporation S.A. has been formed to develop green fertiliser projects for the region. As well as straddling the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, Costa Rica is a democratic Central American country. In agriculture, Costa Rica is the second largest supplier of pineapples in the world and is in the top ten banana growers.
ATOME is in the process of operational planning, sourcing and negotiations with green electricity suppliers, equipment providers and offtake partners, including signed memoranda of understanding and cooperation agreements in place with key parties, to produce green fertiliser at an industrial scale using electricity generated from hydroelectric power in Paraguay and Costa Rica. All chosen sites are located close to the power and water sources and export facilities to serve significant domestic and then international demand.
The Company has a green-focused Board which is supported by major shareholders including Peter Levine, Schroders, a leading fund manager, and since May 2023, Baker Hughes, a global energy technology company operating in the energy and industry sectors.
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